Reader’s Question:

I’m late for my car insurance premium payments here in Connecticut. What will happen to my car insurance policy?

Nicolette

Bristol, CT

The possibility of cancellation is very likely if you fail to pay your car insurance premiums on the due date, and some companies in Connecticut will consider cancellation even if you’re only a day late in your payments. Check Connecticut’s insurance laws if it is permitted in your state for an insurance company to cancel your policy right away for failing to pay premiums. Usually, insurance companies have a certain period of time allotted for late payments, and they will notify you if your policy is being cancelled.

Don’t be disheartened by this fact because insurance companies will let one circumstance slide in order to continue business with you. But if you continually forget paying on the due date, the insurance company will be forced to terminate your policy. Late payment fees are often added to your premium payments making it more expensive for you. Moreover, a cancelled policy may take some time to be reinstated after you’ve paid all you’re previous premium balance.

Your credit score may also be affected should your car insurance policy be cancelled, which in turn could lower your chances of getting a policy with a different car insurance company. Make sure you call your local insurance provider if you won’t be able to pay your premiums on time to avoid cancellation. I’m sure you and your insurance provider can come up with more flexible payment method.

If you really have a very hectic schedule, there are many car insurance companies in Connecticut who accept premium payments over the internet. If you want, you can contact your bank and inquire about how you can set your account to automatically pay your car insurance premiums on the due date assigned.

Tags: auto insurance policy, auto insurance premium, car insurance law

Reader’s Question:

I got in an accident here in Connecticut. I was hit by a van at a red light. I am not insured, but the other driver is. Will I be covered by his auto insurance?

Janice

Hamden, CT

Typically, if the other party is proven at fault, his automotive insurance would cover the damages brought by the accident. A licensed claim adjuster would assess the situation by getting your version of the incident, as well the other driver’s version. Along with these, other facts and information that are relevant to the incident would also be gathered and reviewed in order to assess the situation fairly. Once the claims adjuster has come up with a decision, he or she will report this to the other driver’s automotive insurance company for further actions.

Since this incident has to be reported to a law enforcer, you may get a citation from the officer for driving without automotive insurance. In most states, including Connecticut, every driver is required to carry the insurance of the vehicle he is driving. If you are caught driving a vehicle without the capacity to show proof of insurance, you may face certain penalties such as monetary fine. It is also possible that your license will be suspended as penalty for this violation. Normally, if your license gets suspended, you would have to get SR-22 insurance in order to get your license reinstated. The SR-22 insurance is a liability insurance that shows proof of financial responsibility under the minimum coverage required by the state.

Tags: driving without insurance, liability insurance, sr22 car insurance

Reader’s Question:

I just bought my first car here in Connecticut after months of saving. Is there a car insurance policy for first-time drivers like me?

Aaron

Bridgeport, CT

Yes, there is certainly a car insurance policy for you, Aaron, but it can be pretty expensive. This is due to the fact that first-time drivers like you are inexperienced when it comes to driving. And because of that fact, most car insurance companies there in Connecticut will categorize you as a high-risk driver, thus increasing the premiums you have to pay. Usually, teenagers fall under the high-risk category mainly because of the higher numbers of accidents and injuries attributed to them. In the U.S., it is estimated that about eight out ten teenage drivers are more likely to get into an accident than experienced adult drivers.

But don’t be disheartened about these statistics, because no matter if you’re a teenage first time driver or an adult driving newbie, having car insurance is most definitely the responsible and important thing to do. A car insurance can add more security and protection to your driving experience. First, you need to know that having car insurance is pretty much required by United States laws. And being caught driving without one is punishable by law, and some states even consider it a felony. So, you should definitely get yourself one.

Having car insurance can also help you should you get into an accident. Depending on your coverage, a car insurance policy basically pays for damages to your car or another person’s car. It also provides payment for injuries sustained in accidents whether you’re the one injured or another person. And if properties are damaged, as well, your car insurance policy will also take care of that provided that it is included in your coverage. Also, a car insurance can also shoulder legal expenses should you get sued after an accident.

Included in the standard first time driver’s insurance policy is the liability coverage, which basically pays for damages to vehicles or injuries to people. A medical payment coverage is also included, which shoulders the medical costs of all those involved in the accident. While a personal injury protection coverage takes care of other expenses like wages lost, pain and suffering and funeral expenses.
An uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist coverage are also included for first time drivers’ insurance. This is very important especially if you get injured due to an accident and the other driver involved doesn’t have sufficient coverage or doesn’t have any insurance at all.

Take all these considerations in carefully before buying car insurance. Make sure you look around for the best deals and discount offers. Try surfing the internet as well for free car insurance quotes. Good luck and drive safely.

Tags: auto insurance premium, car insurance quotes, teen insurance

Reader’s Question:

I’m about to surprise my son on his birthday and give him my old car. It’s complete with registration and car insurance I got in Bridgeport, Connecticut five months ago. Do I have to insure the car again just because he’s going to own it soon? Seven more months down the drain, is it?

Helene

Bridgeport, CT

Hi, Helene. Wow, that is so fantastic. Can you be my mother just for my up and coming birthday? I’m only kidding. Seriously now. Okay, here’s the catch, my dear Helene. Car insurances are actually very much like car registrations that you have to renew on a yearly basis, no matter how much we hate doing it. Now, when you got your car insurance about five months ago, the car insurance coverage was under your name, so it only addresses any liability that involves you and you alone. I have a pretty good idea why you’re asking this. You have got seven more months to go, and really it is a pity to see the bigger chunk of what you paid for go to waste. However, I do not think that these insurance policies are transferable. The only rational thing I feel you should do is to register your son under that existing insurance as someone who uses the vehicle often. Then that solves your problem by getting enough coverage for your son while at the same time retaining the same existing car insurance policy that you have right now. Visit your insurer in Bridgeport, Connecticut for complete details. The only drawback to this is that you won’t be able to transfer the car registration to your son’s name just yet. Guess you’ll have to wait another seven months to be able to do that.

Tags: auto insurance coverage, car insurance

Reader’s Question:

Kathleen of Bridgeport, Connecticut. I just had a minor accident a few weeks ago. The whole repair process was horrendous. My auto insurance company has designated body shops. Is it advisable to use their designated body shops?

Kathleen

Bridgeport, CT

Hello, Kathleen. I am familiar with the arduous routine that follows when you need to have your car fixed. After the experiencing the shock of having a road accident, you will deal with the trauma of having it repaired. First, remember that your auto insurance can not and should not force you to pick one of their designated shops. And also, check to make sure that the repair cost is not cheaper than your deductible. Otherwise, you are essentially paying for the repair.

There are benefits, though, if you go with one of their designated shops in your area (Bridgeport, CT). Insurance companies have devised this designated body shop program to lessen the inconvenience of having an insured car repaired. Studies have shown that after going through the process of having a car repaired (arranging to have the car towed, obtaining repair estimates, choosing a body shop, looking for a rental car, etc), people would usually want to change their auto insurance company. If you choose a designated repair shop, the tedious process mentioned above will be minimized if not eradicated. The object of designated repair shops is to improve customer satisfaction, so that the policy holder won’t think of cancelling the policy. Of course, the auto insurance companies get discounts from these shops. They get their discounts, you get convenience.

Tags: auto insurance, Car insurance discounts, car insurance rate

Reader’s Question:

If I have collision and comprehensive on my vehicle. Last night someone stole my money from my car. Will on this be covered?

Harry

Bristol, CT

No, most car insurance policies would not cover any money stolen out of your automobile. Personal items in your car are not normally covered by your vehicle insurance coverages if they are stolen.

If the vehicle itself was stolen your comprehensive coverage will cover the vehicle. Even under this comprehensive coverage though any money was taken it would not be covered if stolen from your automobile. Personal items taken from a vehicle are usually just not covered by a typical car insurance policy.

You may see if homeowners or renters policy will cover this. Remember that most car insurance policies have a $1000 coverage limit on expensive personal things such as cameras, musical instruments, jewelry, furs, and fine art. You may be able to buy additional coverage for these personal items if you find think this is needed. You will have to speak with your car insurance agent for renter’s or homeowner’s insurance regarding this.

Tags: auto insurance, collision insurance coverage, comprehensive insurance coverage

Reader’s Question:

My son recently moved in with his friend in New Britain, Connecticut and is obtaining his own automobile insurance. If he allow his friend to operate his vehicle and his friend is not on his car insurance policy and gets into an accident, will his car insurance cover the accident?

Paulo

New Britain, CT

Typically auto insurance follows the vehicle first and driver will be secondary. So if your son allows the friend to operate his car usually that person is covered by his insurance, unless he specifically excluded his friend on his car insurance policy.

However, if your son lives with his friend, in the same household in New Britain, Connecticut, normally, car insurance companies require all household members to be on the car insurance policy unless the friend is specifically excluded. So basically if your son lives on the same house with his friend he will need to tell his insurance company about this, otherwise if his friend gets into an accident while driving your son’s vehicle, his car insurance may not cover the accident. It is advisable that your son contact his car insurance company to make sure so that his friend will be properly covered while operating your son’s vehicle.

Tags: auto insurance

Reader’s Question:

What is going to happen to me if I get caught driving under age in Danbury, Connecticut?

Josh

Danbury, CT

According to Connecticut laws the penalties for driving a car without a drivers license, violating the driving requirements for sixteen and seventeen year olds, operating a vehicle when under sixteen or violating other licensing provisions differ depending upon if it is your first violation or not.

According to Connecticut laws a first time violation comes with a fine of $75 up to $90. Subsequent violation for this offense can come with penalties that may include up to thirty days jail time and a fine of $250 up to $350. The Connecticut law goes on to say that if an individual was previously convicted of these violations they can be required up to 100 hours of community service or be fined an additional $500. In addition if two previous violations have been violated there will be an additional mandatory ninety days imprisonment.

Even if you are a teen with a learner’s permit in Danbury CT you can be cited for driving without a drivers license if you drive a car against your restrictions.

Tags: auto insurance, teen insurance, Young driver car insurance

Reader’s Question:

My husband’s vehicle was hit while parked in Norwalk, Connecticut. He did not see who hit the vehicle. Is this covered by collision on our car insurance policy?

Mary

Norwalk, CT

This hit and run incident that damaged your husband’s vehicle in Norwalk, Connecticut would be covered by your collision coverage.

Collision covers damage to your vehicle when your automobile hits, or is hit by, another car, or another object. This type of insurance coverage pays to fix your car less the deductible you choose. This coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in your car insurance policy.

Liability coverages would not apply here since they only cover others that you may damage. So if your husband had hit a vehicle in the parking lot then your property damage liability (PDL) would cover the damages to the other car and bodily injury liability (BIL) would cover any injuries the driver or passengers of the other car would have sustained.

Since you are using your collision coverage to fix the damages to your car then a deductible will be due. It may be helpful to your car insurance claim if your husband was able to have a police report for the hit and run damage.

Tags: auto insurance claims, car insurance, collision insurance coverage

Reader’s Question:

If I have a vehicle that I do not drive in Manchester, Connecticut, do I need to have insurance on it?

Karen

Manchester, CT

In the state of Connecticut if you do not want to pay auto insurance on an automobile that is inoperable or being stored in Manchester, Connecticut you must turn in your license plates to the Department of Motor Vehicle and request that they be put on hold. At that time, you may drop auto insurance coverage on the automobile. When you are going to once again operate the vehicle you would need to tell the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicle and get insurance on the automobile.

Verify with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to know exactly what state laws permit for in your situation. Do not remove car insurance without contacting your Department of Motor Vehicle and likely turning in your license plates and registration. If you do remove auto insurance without turning in your license plates and registration then some states will cite you and penalize you for a lapse in car insurance.

Tags: auto insurance lapse, car insurance